My new build thread: Stage 4!

[swyfor5]

Looking at my setup today, I am going to have to remove the dual front shocks. Not going to be enough clearance for the second shock to mount without hitting the brake calipers. No problem, gonna upgrade to some better shocks after the axle swap anyway. Next step to figure out is the 1 ton brake booster upgrade, no real problem, just need to make room. Parts are here and ready!

[litebulblsc]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Yes, liteb, I got the dana60 single front spring perch from DIY4X. Back in 012 it ran me about $26.00 shipped. Yes, John cut the original mount off, and getting ready to mount the new one exactly where it needs to be for my 8" superlift front springs.

Thanks. I will give them a call tomorrow. Glad to finally see some progress. Really looks like your doing it up right.
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[VA72C10]

It feels good when you start making great progress! With all the parts you have saved up for this you should be able to really continue to move on it!

[swyfor5]

Right on! Thank's VA! Hoping to have it driveable real soon. It really is nice to see some of these parts that I have had for so long getting installed!

[turp mcspray]

You mean you can't set it on your chest, and bench press it into place? I have a buddy that used to remove and install th400's that way! He's an animal! I could do it in my elcamino, with the muncie. LOL!

[swyfor5]

Yes, Turp- that is the way John usually does it. A matter of fact when he came to the house to get the NP205 he through it up on the tailgate of my 04 Sierra by himself. It was just so much easier this way, with the interior pretty much gutted. T-case is in, twin sticks installed,crossmember with poly mounts done, stock front driveshaft is mocked up-but is going to have to be shortened a little, front shocks remounted, front u-bolts cut off/cleaned up. Angle on the front driveshaft looks really good so far! Started redoing the front frame horns for the new wincher bumper. John made some templates for the frame rails front and rear to have some custom plates made to weld in to reinforce the frame areas for the bumper mounts. Gotta do a little tweaking of the twin sticks so they line up better, but man am I happy. Start on installing brake components tommorrow! Here's some pic's from today's progress!

[swyfor5]

Not too much done today. Mocked up the rear shackle flip and it looks like the 4.5" shackles are going to work good. Waiting on getting the frame plates for the front and back to reinforce the frame rails. Need these to go ahead and mount the front bumper and the rear shackle flip brackets. Dropped off the Warn winch, the original Dana20 trans hump cover, and the new replacement NP205 trans hump cover. Making sure the Warn Tabor winch will fit behind the wincher front bumper with no clearance problems. John is working on ideas for the the rear bumper to incorporate the spare tire carrier also. Man, this is looking really good!

[swyfor5]

Original 1/2 ton brake booster/master cylinder/prop valve setup off. New 1 ton setup mounted today. Gotta change out all the brake lines next. Then start mounting calipers and etc. Frame plates will be done by monday for the front and rear bumper mounts! Working out a deal with John and he is going to use almost all this take off stuff to build a 1956 chevy 2wd into a 4wd! My dana44, rear axle, brake booster system, turn it into a real nice 1/2 ton 4x4 with 39.5 super swampers on it! Pic's asap!

[swyfor5]

Looking good! Not much done today except got the rear calipers mounted, other projects going. Only one pic today of the 1 ton booster setup mocked up!

[VA72C10]

Nice progress!

[swyfor5]

Thank you Va! Still waiting on the frame reinforcement plates to come, but John also ordered some sway bar parts for his monster bus to be fabbed up at the same time. I'm sure they will all be done in a couple of days. I got the cowl piece sprayed black tonight, and man it looks good. I took it off a while back, thinking I was going to do a total teardown of the front clip. What with getting these axles and etc installed now, I'm going to put it back together and wheel it a bit to check for weak links! I'll snap some pic's ASAP!

[swyfor5]

Not much new today, just some pic's of my cowl ready to go back on!

[swyfor5]

Got a new trash/debris guard for the cowl area yesterday from LMC. Looks good, got the black one of course! Cought John leaving the shop tonight, said he got the frame brackets in and they look good. Hopefully get them welded in soon! Pic's ASAP!

[swyfor5]

Going to the Chaos shop this morning to work on tweaking the front bumper to fit. Hope to see some progress today.

[turp mcspray]

I see what hold up is on your build. A Lazy-boy recliner! All I have in my shop are 5 gal. buckets. That way no one spends much time sitting around, when there's work to be done. LOL!!

[swyfor5]

Right on Turp! John's knees are bad, and he likes to sit back and think/plan between weldment. Besides, we do a lot of grilling at the shop, and you just got to have a place to sit and eat! Very happy with the progress, and this is going to be very well done when it's finished!

[swyfor5]

Here's some pic's of the brackets that came on the wincher. Gonna have to cut them off and weld on some new ones that will make it fit right. Oh well, it will be done right-the CHAOS way when it's done!

[swyfor5]

Talked to John last night, said new bumper brackets should be here by thursday or friday. Can't wait, want to get this bumper done!

[swyfor5]

Nothing new on the K5, but off topic, I did have to buy a new set of shoes for the daily driver. P265/75/R16 Michelin LTX M/S, really nice, just put a set of 17" ones on the wife's Envoy last month also. Ouch, Ouch, say's the blazer fund! Tried out the new skins at the gravel pit tonight, and am very happy with them.

[ColoradoK5]

making great progress man cant wait to see pics of the build either

[swyfor5]

Thank's ColoradoK5! Went and took John out to look at the extraction site tonight. Decided we are going to use one of his dual axle trailers and my daily driver GMC to haul it home. Car is pretty rusty, but John said it was $200.00 well spent. I will take a bunch of pic's as it comes home. Worked a little bit on the pole barn to make room for the wife's new project! Oh, by the way, the new bumper brackets should be here tommorrow! Gonna be real cool with a 1970 K5 and a 1970 malibou/chevelle side by side in the pole barn!

[swyfor5]

Well we are still waiting on the plates to be finished for the front bumper mounts, should be done tommorrow. I did get the wife's project hauled into the Chaos shop tonight though. I am not sure how far I am going to go with this, but I had to save this one. Even if it does not end up being our's, I just hate to see stuff like this happen to the good stuff! Here's some pic's, starting with where I found it and ending at the Chaos shop!

[swyfor5]

Some more!

[warbucket]

Great find..

[swamp rat]

What a great find! I'd love to have that car myself!